MPs from SP and BSP get into scuffle over quota bill in Rajya Sabha

Two Members of Parliament today got into a scuffle in the Rajya Sabha over the tabling of the constitutional amendment to allow reservations in promotions.

MP Naresh Agrawal proceeded towards the well of the House while the Rajya Sabha was in session and the consitutional amendment was set to be passed.

However, he encountered BSP MP Avatar Singh Karimpuri, who grabbed the SP member by his collar to prevent him from proceeding.

At this, other members from the BSP including Brajesh Pathak immediately intervened and held back Karimpuri. Tempers ran high as the scuffle continued for a few minutes before Karimpuri was finally made to take his seat. Soon marshals were called in the House.

The two MPs got into a scuffle over the constitutional amendment the government tabled today. Screen grab from CNN IBN

The two quarreling MPs disregarded Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien's pleas to return to their seats and continued to quarrel even after being separated.

Agarwal incidentally was earlier a member of the Bahujan Samaj Party before joining the Samajwadi Party.

Agarwal defended his action saying that he had been provoked by the MP from the rival party and had been denied his Parliamentary right of expressing his opinion.

"I have had 25 years in Parliament but I have never seen that an MP has been not allowed to express his opinion," he said, adding that it was over that the duo had got into a scuffle.

"The BSP MPs were misbehaving with me. I didn't try to tear the bill...we wanted that division of votes should be there," he said

He also promised to complain against Karimpuri to Chairman of Rajya Sabha.

The Samajwadi Party had earlier declared its intention to oppose the tabling of the bill and its being passed by the Upper House of Parliament.

Samajwadi Party MPs were on their feet and shouting slogans against the bill when House proceedings began at 12 pm. BJP MPs were also shouting slogans against the government but over the CAG report on coal block allocations.

However, disregarding the commotion in the House, Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien allowed Minister of State V Narayanasamy to introduce the bill before adjourning proceedings till 2 pm.

Narayanasamy said he was had made sure no disruption would deter him from introducing the bill and had taken additional precautions to prevent documents from being damaged.

"I knew they are going to come close to me I did not keep any papers with me," he said.

"I am the minister who has been facing turbulence in the house... I faced this situation when I tabled the Lokpal Bill also," he said.